Visa Options for New Zealand

1. New Zealand Student Visa

If you are going to New Zealand to study for more than three months, you will need a student visa. A student visa allows you to study full time in New Zealand for a limited period of time. A student visa may have conditions you must meet – for example, it may include:

  • The name of the program you are allowed to study
  • The name of the educational provider
  • The New Zealand location of the provider
  • The requirement to hold acceptable insurance
  • The conditions to work during study and holidays

Key Documents Required

Following documents will be required for application purposes:

  • Valid passport – Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your period of stay in New Zealand
  • An offer of a place – You need to have an unconditional offer of a place from a New Zealand Institute/University
  • Statement of Purpose to describe your plans to study in New Zealand
  • Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from school/college or university you attended
  • Scores from tests that your college required, such as IELTS, PTE.
  • How you will pay for all educational, living and travel costs- Need to provide financial documents
  • You may be required to show Health and Character certificates
  • Passport-sized photograph

Note: Additional documentation may be required. Please refer to https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/checklists/india for the updated student visa checklist at the time of applying for your student visa.

2. Post Study Work Visa

If you have acceptable qualification(s) that you completed in New Zealand, you can apply for a visa to work in New Zealand. Depending on your qualification and where you studied. You can work for any employer for between 1 to 3 years, and do almost any work. On Post Study Work Visa you can:

  • Work for any Employer
  • Work in almost any job New Zealand

Things to Note

  • You can only apply for this visa once you complete a second higher qualification at bachelor’s degree level or higher
  • You cannot provide commercial sexual services or operate or invest in a business
  • If you complete your study outside Auckland before the end of 2021, your work visa can be valid for 2 or 3 years
  • Your partner can apply for a work visa and your dependent children can study fee-free as domestic students

3. NZ Partnership based Dependent Visa

New Zealand offers a range of visa options for partners and children. If you are applying for a New Zealand visa based on your relationship, you and your partner will need to meet certain criteria.

  • Your partnership needs to be genuine and stable
  • You must be living with your partner
  • You must meet health and character requirements
  • You must have the support of your partner
  • Your partner must be eligible to support your application

4. Licensed Immigration Advice

If you need New Zealand immigration advice, licensed Immigration advisers have specialist expertise in this area. They have met competency standards and follow a professional code of conduct set by Immigration Adviser Authority, New Zealand.

The IAA Code of Conduct requires advisors to

  • Be honest, professional and respectful
  • Provide you with ongoing timely updates
  • Represent your application with INZ in professional manners
  • Charge fees that are fair and reasonable

We as Licensed Immigration Advisors can help you

  • Explore all your visa options and choose the right visa
  • Prepare your visa application in professional manners
  • Provide you regular updates on your application
  • Assess whether you can appeal a declined visa
  • Assess your options if you are in New Zealand unlawfully

Risks of using a person who is not licensed or exempt

  • Your visa application will be returned by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). INZ does not accept applications from unlicensed people acting illegally.
  • Unlicensed people may not be honest with you or INZ. Lying on your visa application is a criminal offense and dishonesty may affect your future visas.
  • Your application may be declined because the unlicensed person has no immigration knowledge or skills